Integrating Ducks, Fish, and Rice: A Climate-Smart Pathway for Low-Emission and Resilient Agriculture
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61978/sativa.v1i4.1436Keywords:
Rice Co-Culture, Methane Emissions, Sustainable Agriculture, Agroecological Intensification, Integrated Farming, Economic Benefits, Soil FertilityAbstract
Rice co-culture systems, which integrate aquatic animals such as fish, ducks, or crabs into rice paddies, are gaining recognition for their potential to enhance environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity. This study synthesizes findings from a meta-analysis of 224 studies and 4707 observations to evaluate the multi-dimensional impacts of rice co-culture compared to conventional monoculture systems. The objective is to assess changes in greenhouse gas emissions, crop yield, soil fertility, pest suppression, and economic returns. The methodology involves systematic data synthesis, including subgroup analyses based on region and co-culture type. Key indicators include methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, yield, soil nutrient dynamics, and net economic outcomes. Results show that rice co-culture systems reduce CH₄ emissions by an average of 14.8%, with reductions reaching 22.1% in East Asia. Yield remains stable overall but improves significantly in specific systems like rice–chicken (+16.8%) and rice–duck (+4.4%). Soil fertility increases by 7.8% to 16.2%, and pest/disease incidence deåcreases by up to 84.6%. Net economic benefits improve by 31.7% to 71.1%, driven by diversified outputs and reduced input costs. In conclusion, rice co-culture systems demonstrate clear advantages in terms of climate mitigation, agronomic performance, and farmer profitability. These systems align well with climate-smart agriculture principles and offer a scalable model for sustainable intensification in rice production landscapes.
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